The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in undergraduate degree studies. TPP provides a pathway to a degree program.
TPP allows you to experience university life before committing to a degree program.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
TPP allows you to experience university life before committing to a degree program.
Upon successful completion of the TPP, you will be able to gain direct entry into most USC degree programs through the standard USC direct entry application process. You will be required to meet any subject prerequisites for the undergraduate degree you want to study so check these before enrolling in your TPP courses to make sure you choose the right courses. If you are from a non-English speaking background, you will also be required to meet English language entry requirements for your chosen USC program.
TPP will not meet the entry rank required for direct entry into some high-demand degree programs, including the Bachelor of Midwifery and the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. Your entry rank will depend on how many TPP courses you complete and the grades you achieve in your TPP courses. Your entry rank must be high enough to meet the program cut off in order to gain direct entry.
If selecting to attend another university, you will need to apply through the standard QTAC application process or via the admission procedures as outlined by the institution at which you plan to study.
Please note that courses completed through TPP cannot be used as credit towards a degree.
Flexible study options
TPP courses are offered in Semesters 1 and 2 and Session 8 (Summer Session) and you can study full-time (four courses over one semester) or part-time. International students may only enrol in TPP if they enrol in full-time mode. Full-time mode is available at Sippy Downs and at Fraser Coast only.
Recommended TPP courses for USC programs
A list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs is available to assist with your enrolment. We highly recommend that prior to enrolling, you read the courses synopsis and course outlines by clicking onto the TPP course codes.
Admission requirements
- Entry age: you must be a minimum of 17 years of age at time of entry (international students must be 18 years old).
- TPP is taught in English (both in classes and in written material), therefore students from a non-English speaking background will need to have sufficient English skills to achieve an overall score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in all subtests of an IELTS test. Upon completion of TPP and prior to being admitted into any USC program, applicants must satisfy the minimum entry English language requirements (eg English Language proficiency and subject prerequisites).
- International applicants academic history will be assessed for entry in to TPP.
Fees
Fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs.
Courses in the TPP are Austudy approved.
Indigenous TPP students may be eligible for an Indigenous Commonwealth scholarship.
Upon completion of TPP
Domestic students (Australian citizens, Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) who wish to apply for admission into an undergraduate degree program at USC after completing the TPP should visit Apply for an undergraduate program from TPP for instructions to submit an online application.
International students should go to the Application forms for International students page for more information and to download the application form.
Program structure
To assist with your course selection, refer to the list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs. We highly recommend that prior to enroling you read the courses synopsis and course outlines by clicking onto the TPP course codes below.
One (1) required course:
TPP101 Health Law and Ethics
Plus select three (3) courses from:
TPP102 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety
TPP103 Quality and Governance in Health and Community Care Settings
TPP104 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
TPP105 Managing Human Resources
TPP106 Special Topic in Health and Community Care
TPP107 Organisational Change and Agility
TPP108 Workplace Learning I
TPP109 Health Practicum
TPP111 Workforce Development and Education*
TPP115 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
Available courses Semester 1, 2018
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Creative Production | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP102 Playing with Genre | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP103 Exploring Twentieth Century Theatre | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP104 Introduction to the Creative Industries | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP105 Introduction to Screen and Media Industries | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP107 Performance 1 | Sippy Downs, Gympie | Nil |
| TPP108 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Writing the Short Story | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP111 Writing for Children and Young Adults | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast, Gympie | Nil |
| TPP115 Writing Poetry | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Semester 2, 2018
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Creative Writing and Editing for Publication | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP102 Work Integrated Learning Project | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP103 Work Integrated Learning Placement | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP104 Writing Your Novel | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP105 Running Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) industry events | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Academic Skills for Success | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Digital Futures | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP108 Chemistry | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Mathematics | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP111 Statistics | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP115 An Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Societies | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Session 8, 2017/2018
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Critical Thinking in Society | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP102 An Introduction to Working within the Community | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP103 Biology | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP104 Business Study Skills | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP105 Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Academic Skills for Success | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Digital Futures | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP111 Chemistry | Sippy Downs | Nil |
For further details about locations and semesters that each TPP course is offered refer to the class timetable.
Program requirements and notes
Program notes
- To submit an application, go to the How to apply tab. Please refer to Application dates to apply before cut-off dates
- Program fees:there are no tuition fees for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Holders of Humanitarian Visas. Fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs
- International students are non-Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent Residents. Summer Session and part-time options are not available to International students.
- Program details are subject to change
- For important semester dates see Academic Calenders
- Read the Student rules, policies, procedures and guidelines
- Refer to the Student Fees and Charges - Governing Policy for information about administrative fees that may apply